NEW SCOUSER

Jumped on train yesterday and set off to meet up with Maz in Liverpool. I saw her from behind and knew it was her. Isnt it funny how we recognise more than just faces? Had an absolutely wonderful day and it ended all too quickly. We perused the art at both the Walker and the Tate and talked and talked and talked. Maz's energy is now at a diferent level............calmer............positive..............so she has grown, just as I am growing and, hopefully, most of you out there in the ether are also growing. Without growth there is only stagnation and whilst we might think this is good, in fact it is the beginning of decline.

The day before was my 33rd wedding anniversary and we spent the day on the coast with Molly, the spaniel, who I finally got into the sea ! Had a really lovely day at Snettisham and then Hunstanton, had a bag of chips and a bag of dohnuts on the sea front.............now you cant get more romantic than that !!! lol !!

here are a couple of pics from the day;

Well, have to go prepare for Islington meeting on Wednesday so I will leave you with the usual thought that the Universe gives you what you truly want and desire but while you wait to receive it, LOVE ALL AND HURT NONE; its the only religion you really need.

PASS ME THAT OSCAR

Hi all, finally, the short film, "SILVER BULL" has been uploaded to YOUTUBE so you can now all bask in my glory ! I hear Ive been shortlisted for the British Acadamey Awards , lol. here is the link; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CVJFQT2EIcM There is a professional actor who gets narrated over, another professional who was in The Full Monty at Leicesters Curve was in drag (why? have no idea. Just surreal), there is myself who was made up facially to look older and then didnt have my face seen, and of course the Knighton Lane Studio was acting as the entrance to the SILVER BULL public house. Hope you enjoy. Im off to Liverpool on Saturday for reunion and day of art , coffee and chinwag , with Maz from DMU........... cant wait, so excited............... I swear Im getting younger (there must be a portrait in my attic somewhere) and the day before I will have been married for 33 years ! (which balances things a bit) Gonna spend the entire day somewhere TBA. Had informal meet with SoftTouch with four other freelance artists to be included on their database of practitioners. One other was from KLA and yet another had been on the mentoring scheme so its a small world. Have to go Islington next week too so its all happening ! Just goes to show that if you let the universe know exactly what you want............... So its goodbye from me and its goodbye from the gamekeeper and remember to LOVE ALL AND HURT NONE; ITS THE ONLY RELIGION YOU TRULY NEED.

SUMMER ART CAMP AT RAWLINGS COLLEGE, QUORN, LEICS.UK

Well, sadly, my two weeks of art camp at Rawlings College in Quorn, Leicestershire, have come to an end. The children, ages ranging from 5 to 14 years , all loved their time with me and the other artists engaged on the project. We pursued everything from puppet making, drama, face-masks, mono-printing, pavement art, origami, simple animation, comic book making, storytelling and, when it rained we played indoor games during the break periods. It was exhausting work, but the kind of exhaustion that feels great and makes you want to do it all again. At the end of my last session the Hayley Fern, the arts development officer, gave me a small present, a hug and the promise that she will work with me again ! I had a great time and it was confirmed that children do seem to respond to me. They think Im weird and funny, but in a good way. I want more of this sort of work, so if anyone can point me in the right direction I will happily go there !!!

The Knighton Lane Studios are still in the process of building, but getting closer to being opened up for work again. Walls are being clad, filled and painted. Im needing to get into my space again to start some work in readiness for the groups exhibition at R.A.Centre. Im feeling the need to make art.

Im still practising with the MAC and the video camera before I launch myself into serious work with this new equipment so it may be some time before anything gets seen.

Well, dont think there is anything else to say except................................... the Universe will grant your heartfelt desires, but while you wait..........hurt none and love all, its the only religion you really need.

AND THE WINNER IS ..................

Well, the winner was me.........yes ME ! oh, and 23 other people. However double that applied for this bursary from Creative Leicestershire so I did really well. The bursary is for equipment that will enable me to further interest in the moving image, either on a documentary/short film level or animation. I spent almost all of it last weekend on a new MAC and a camcorder. I know the quality wont be strictly professional but its a start and who knows where it might lead? Im chuffed anyway. Only a couple of people knew about this as I wanted to keep it quiet until it was actually in my hands. It makes you feel good, doesnt it?

On another matter arty, today I commenced my second week as arts leader at Rawlings Community College summer art camp. Very tiring, but very rewarding too. Its comfirmed that young children seem to like me and respond to me. Today we looked at the work of Quinton Blake and based the days art around his style. I think tomorrow its Picasso day.

The arts career is slowly happening and it feels good.

At Knighton Lane Artists Group some people have applied to fill the new spaces that will be created after the build. Two of them come from my course at DMU, Maggie and Hamish !!! Who would have thought? I dont know if they are going to be offered spaces or not as its a democratic process, but it would be nice. Almost be like being back at DMU again !

Am working on ideas for Richard Attenborough Centre exhibition in March. Oh, and KLA are having their (our ) annual tea party early November. Of course all are invited. I will remind you nearer the time. If you are in town, do try to come.

OK, thats that then. Need to go practice on the Mac editing software..........

remember folks; Love All, Hurt None, tell the Universe your heartfelt wants and give thanks when you receive them, its the only religion you really need.